The Hertford Termites faced a monumental battle as they eventually overcame Cuffley in the first round of the cup. Having won their own league, Cuffley were looking for further success in the cup and given the strength of their scrum they will have relished the opportunity against Hertford.

With many of the 1st XV supporters coming to watch the Termites as the semi-curtain raiser, they may have hoped for some near end of season frivolities. Instead, they got 30 minutes of intense stalemate. With Hertford playing into a heavy wind in the first half, they struggled to establish much momentum or gain much territory, with the teams battling each other in the middle of the pitch. Indeed, after one of Hertford's more fluid attacks, with Douglas making a break and the mobile and dextrous prop Airey on hand to take the ball on and release Hollis on the wing. Hertford's version of the ginger baby rhino is always quite a sight on the hoof, but he was heavily hunted down by Cuffley, and with the blood up the two teams barrelled into each other on and off the pitch. With some proper hand bags being thrown and family honour at stake, it was probably best that the ref decided to call a lineout.

Hertford absorbed a lot of pressure from Cuffley, with Douglas and Harry Gawthorne prominent in defence.

Hertford have often fallen back on their heft when in a tight spot, relying on the ever formidable front row rotation of Airey-Hollis-Van Der Ryst-Thomas-Humphries, but there was no bid daddy comfort blanket this week as every scrum was a titanic tectonic tear-up.

One area where Hertford did get on top was the lineout as Harry Gawthorne dominated the air, defying the supposed Gawthorne 'big-boniness', regularly stealing the Cuffley ball and securing Hertford's own possession.

Eventually, after much huffing and puffing for 30 minutes, Hertford were able to make it into the Cuffley 22 where Sillitoe took one of his familiar hardest of hard lines to be held up just short, and Roberts was on hand to ferret over from the ruck.

With half time approaching, Cuffley were camped in Herford's 22 seeking to utilise the power of their scrum. The tectonic plates were moving and up would go a front-row fault line. This was the hardest scrummaging the Termites have faced in years, and the hardest some of the team had ever faced. As the scrums got closer to the try line the Verdun / Lord of the Rings / Monty Pythonesque 'none shall pass' spirit took over as Hertford refused to succumb. Scrum, reset, scrum. Just as Hertford braced for another massive shunt, Cuffley passed the ball away from the scrum and scored. The battle may have been lost, and the scores even at 7-7, but the groundwork had been laid for the second half victory.

With the wind and some slope, as well as some new legs, Hertford started the second half at a canter. Breaks made and Hertford were 10 metres short, with Ellis popping to Humphries to scootle through in his idiosyncratic upright running style and attitude.

The game was opening up, and the youthful pace made a big difference as Hertford's backs came to fore. Jacob, having a flying visit from his RAF duties in the Midlands, was encouraged to take it on at every opportunity. Following a great run into open space, Will Stacey was the only person to keep up with him, and Stacey managed to hold off four people in the ruck until the infantry arrived. A couple of further phases and Baker barraged through.

The feisty Hertford backs kept taking on their more experienced opponents, and the backline of Jacob (a relative veteran), Owen and Archie caused havoc.

Hertford were in Cuffley territory again and winning regular penalties as the pressure mounted. Spreading the ball, there was space for Ellis to stretch (with another animal simile) crane like with one arm to score.

The enthusiasm of the backline was exemplified by Archie being the only Hertford player to chase a lusty punt by Albon with moments to go in the game, and for which there seemed no prospect of success. Nonetheless, like any springer spaniel, they never know when to give up and if there is a ball to chase they will chase it. Having hared 50 metres from the opposite wing, and the full back seemingly in control as the ball was bouncing towards the deadline ball line, Archie dived ahead of the defender and just squeezed in the touch down to round off a very hard fought victory.

The Termites were not only able to celebrate getting through to the next round of the cup, they were also awarded their medals by the League organisers for winning the Hertfordshire & Middlesex Merit North Table 2023/2024.

Captain Gawthorne has done another excellent job of blending the old with the new in the Termites, and ensuring that we hold onto the title of "Greatest" Team at Hertford Rugby Club (just check out some of photos) – as well as being a breading ground for future 1st XV players.

Many other players have contributed to the Termite's League success this season, including new old players playing their debuts for Hertford, and new young players getting a flavour of men's rugby and the importance of social rugby (and some also getting an opportunity to play with their dads). It was great to have some of the other Termites in attendance, including Matt Crooks (getting better), Billy, Arthur, Offy, Marcus, and Jim. Its not the family you would want, but it is the rugby family that you have got!

Front line: Airey, Hollis, Van Der Ryst, Church, Baker, O Gawthorne (c), H Gawthorne, Douglas; Roberts, Albon, Always, Stacey, Sillitoe, Anstead, Everson

Reloads: Thomas, Humphries, Scully, Jacob
Tries: Ellis 2, Humpries, Baker, Anstead

Match photos: Gary Billy Windsock (thanks a lot)